Sequence timer



Dec. 24, 1963 l. B. HODNE 3,115,556

SEQUENCE TIMER Filed May 22, 1961 fzura on ,jiz yanifioaodne.

nit State ice 3,115,556 SEQUENQE TIMER Ingard B. Hodne, 2418 N. St. Louis Ave, Chicago 47, Ill. Filed May 22, 11961, Ser. No. 111,8tl2 14 Claims. (Cl. 200-46) The invention relates generally to switching mechanisms and more particularly to a control mechanism therefor for operation from a suitable tape or other storage media.

The invention has among its objects the production of a switch mechanism, particularly applicable to sequence timing operations and the like which is exceedingly flexible in operation, providing simple adjustments and enabling standardization in many applications to eliminate numerous custom installations by a single model design.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a device providing a positive fool-proof action of maximum accuracy which does not require delicate or sensitive springs or other parts, permitting the utilization of a rugged design and operation of the device at relatively high speeds.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a device wherein the controlling media such as tape, effects a triggering operation with the forces required to actuate switches, etc. being derived from a suitable source, and in which the tape may be periodically sensed to eliminate continuous frictional engagement between the media and the sensing elements which may be large in number.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a device which permits eflicient space utilization to provide a compact, well balanced unit which may employ commercial snap action micro-switches to achieve a highly eificient, low cost mechanism.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a mechanism embodying the present invention taken approximately on the line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view taken approximately On the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View similar to FIG. 1 of one switch mechanism, illustrating the same in oif or unactuated position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the mechanism in on or actuated position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mechanism just prior to its return to the tion illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of a tape structure suitable for controlling the mechanism.

The present invention contemplates the utilization of a sensing element which is responsive to formed or contoured control media such as a perforated tape to actuate the switch mechanism, wherein the switch activating and deactivating forces are derived from means other than the control media such as the tape, the latter merely triggering the action of suitable power means, as for example, a mechanically reciprocated element or spring means, whereby the switch resetting, retaining and releasing forces are not directly derived from the control media such as a tape.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, the reference numeral 1 indicates a top plate suitably supported by a pair of spaced side plates or walls 2, the plate 1 forming a support for a tape 3 which, for example, may be of a type as illustrated in FIG. 7, having a plurality of slots 4 therein, the tape being adapted to illustrating oil posimove longitudinally across a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 5 which are aligned transversely across the top plate 1, the tape being maintained in operative position at the openings 5 by suitable means such as a hold down bar 6 pivotally mounted on a pin 7 supported by brackets 8 on the top plate 1, whereby the hold down member 6 may be swung upwardly about the pin 7 to permit threading of the tape across the openings 5 or down to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bar being retained in operative position by suitable means such as a latch member 2 pivotally supported by the adjacent side member 2 on a pin 11, the hold down member 6 being provided with a slot 12 therein of a size to receive the latch member 9.

Supported between the side walls 2 are a plurality of switch mechanisms each indicated generally by the numeral 13, arranged in two groups with those of one group designated as 13a and those of the other as 13b. Each switch is illustrated as having a generally rectangularly shaped body 14, an actuating pin 15 and terminals 16. The switches 13 may be of commercial construction of the type commonly known as a micro-switch, requiring relatively very small travel of the actuating pin 15 to operate the switch mechanism. The switches 13a are pivotally supported on a rod 1%, while the switches 13b are similarly supported on another rod 17b, which rods. are illustrated as extending through the side plates and retained in operative position by spring lock washers 18 or other suitable means. Also extending between the side walls 2 are a pair of bars w, each disposed adjacent an associated group of switches, the individual switches being adjustably supported on screws 21 threaded into the associated bar 19 and adapted to be locked in position by a lock nut 22, whereby the position of each switch may be individually adjusted by manipulation of the associated screw 21, movement of the screw in or out of the bar 19 being operative to rotate the associated switch about the axis of the rods or 1711 on which the switch is supported.

Associated with each switch 13a is an actuating bar 23a which is disposed above and in alignment with the actuating pin 15 of the associated switch 13a, each bar 23a being engaged at one end with a transversely extending strip or bar 24 suitably secured at its ends to the side walls 2. Each bar 23;: is provided with a notch 25, illustrated in FIG. 1 as being generally V-shaped, which is adapted to receive the adjacent portion of the bar 24, the latter having a notch 26 therein in which the adjacent portion of the bar 23a is disposed. In like manner, associated with each switch 13b is a bar 23b aligned with the pin 15 of the associated switch, the bars 23b being notched in the same manner as the bars 23a and suitably engaged with a similar transversely extending bar 24-. The ends of the bars 23a and 23b opposite to that engaged with the bars 24 are adapted to be urged upwardly by tension springs 27, each of which is secured at one end to an associated bar 23 and anchored at its opposite end on a corresponding transversely extending rod 28, having its ends suitably secured to the side walls 2.

Movement of the actuating bars 23 under the action of the springs 27 is controlled by sensing members 29a and 2%, each of which is provided at its upper end with a sensing finger or pin 31 and at its lower end with a transversely extending portion 32. The members 29 are normally held in a position such as illustrated in FIG. 1, in engagement with a transversely extending rod 33 suitably secured to the side walls 2,. by tension springs 34 having their upper ends anchored to a guide plate 35 and their lower ends to a book 36 carried by the associated sensing member. The guide plate 35 may be secured to the plate 1 and is provided with a slot 37 for each sensing pin 31. The intermediate portions of the sensing members 29 as well as the adjacent ends of the actuating bars 23:: and 23b may be guided by a guide plate 38 having therein a guide slot 39 for each sensing member 29a and 29b, and the actuating bars 23a or 23b associated therewith, as will be readily apparent from a reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the edge 41 of each sensing member 29 bearing against the rod 33 extends at an angle to the vertical, and positioned directly below each such portion of the sensing pin is a U-shaped portion 42a or 42]) forming a recess or notch 43 in which is disposed the adjacent end of the actuating bar 23 associated with the particular sensing member, each U-shaped portion 42 having a boss or projection 44, the arcuate edge of which is adapted to engage the edge of the associated actuating bar 23.

Pivotally supported by the side walls 2 on suitable means such as pins 45 is a U-shaped bail 46 having a pair of oppositely disposed legs 47 pivotally connected adjacent a pair of corresponding ends by the pins 45 to the side walls and connected at their opposite ends by an intermediate connecting portion 4? which is adapted to be disposed directly above the laterally extending portions 32 of the sensing pins, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1. Positioned below the bail 46 is a rotatable shaft 49 which carries an eccentric 51 rotatable therewith and operatively connected to the bail through a link 53 which is carried at its upper end on a rod 54, the ends of which are engaged with the legs 47 of the bail 46 as clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. The shaft 49 may be rotated by any suitable means, as for example, by a drive shaft 55 operatively connected to the shaft 4h through a pair of gears 56 and 57, rotation of the shaft 49 and eccentric 51 being operable to reciprocate the bail 46 from the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1 to the position illustrated in dotted lines therein.

Operation FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the operation of the mechanism above described by means of a tape 3 such as illustrated in FIG. 7, the slots 4 therein being aligned with the sensing members 29 of the switches they are to control. FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the sensing member 2% when the sensing pin 31 thereof is not aligned with one of the slots 4 of the tape and the associated switch is in an olf or non-actuated position. FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship of the various parts when the sensing pin 31 has entered a slot 4 in the tape, permitting the switch to be actuated to the on or actuated position, while FIG. 6 illustrates the actuation of the sensing pin 31 by the tape 3 when the end of a slot 4 is reached, the sensing member 29 being actuated to a position wherein it may be moved to its original position illustrated in FIG. 4 by the operation of the bail 46.

Thus, assuming movement of the tape 3, illustrated in FIG. 4, is moving in' the direction of the arrow, as long as the tape extends across the opening 5, the sensing pin 31 will remain in the position illustrated in FIG. 4 as a result of the upwardly directed forces applied to the member 2912 by the spring 34, the actuating bar 23b remaining in the position illustrated with the pin 15 of the switch 13b depressed thereby, which may be considered the off or unactuated position of the switch and may involve either normally open or normally closed contacts. Normally the switches 13 would be of the single or double pole, double throw type wherein by proper selection of contacts the operating contacts employed may be either normally open, normally closed or a combination of both when the mechanism is in the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

The means for feeding the tape 3 may be of any suitable form, the details of which form no part of the invention, and the same power source therefor may be employed to rotate the shaft 54 and eccentric 51 to effect reciprocation of the bail 46.

It will be apparent that when the bail 46 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 or 4, upward movement of the sensing pins is prevented and the pins therefore exert no force and create no friction on the tape, but each time the bail is reciprocated to its upper position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and in dotted lines in FIG. 1, the sensing pin 31 is free to move upwardly in the event it is in registry with a slot 4. Thus the sensing members 29 may be considered as running through one sensing cycle for each revolution of the shaft 49, and normally a predetermined relationship will exist between the tape feed and the sensing cycle. For example, assuming that the tape is fed .010 inch for every revolution of the drive shaft and the latter is driven at 60 rpm, the timing accuracy will be dependent upon the relation of the slots in the tape to the associated sensing pin and an error, for example, of .020 inch in the positioning of the slot relative to the pin will result in an accuracy of approximately plus or minus two seconds in the operation of the device as a sequence timer, which is satisfactory for most applications.

When a slot 4- comes into registry with a sensing pin 31, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the associated member 29 may move upwardly under the action of the spring 34 which also may e assisted by the spring 27 acting through the actuating bar 2%, and as the bar moves upwardly the inclined edge 41 in engagement with the rod 33 will effect a camming action of the member 29, moving the same to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 and thereby move the laterally extending portion 32 of the sensing member to the left, as viewed in FIG. 5, out of the path of the cross member 48 of the bail 46 so that as the bail is subsequently reciprocated, it cannot engage the actuated sensing member while the latter remains in such position. Simultaneously therewith, movement of the associated actuating arm 23b will permit the pin 15 of the associated switch 13b to move to its on or actuated position.

The mechanism will remain in the relative positions illustrated in FIG. 5 until the end of the slot 4 engages the sensing pin 31 of the sensing member, rocking the pin and member about the rod 33 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, thereby positioning the laterally extending portion 32 of the pin in the path of the cross member 48 of the bail so that when the latter moves downwardly to its normal position illustrated in FIG. 4, it will carry the sensing member with it, drawing the sensing pin 31 out of the slot 4 and at the same time permitting the sensing member to move laterally to the right as the inclined edge 41 thereof moves downwardly along the rod 33 until the mechanism has resumed its original position illustrated in PEG. 4, the tape again locking the sensing pin and member in such position until the arrival of the next slot 4.

It will be noted that with this construction the sensing member 29, in its normal position illustrated in FIG. 4, bears on the guide plate 35 and the rod 33 under the action of the spring 34, whereby some frictional resistance is placed upon the member so that the tape 3 is not carrying all of the retaining load. Likewise, when a slot 4 is reached, the springs 34 and 27 are more than ample in power to move the mechanism to the actuated position illustrated in FiG. 5.

To deactuate the structure, the tape merely pivots the sensing pin to a position where it may be engaged by the bail 46, such action being readily accomplished with a minimum of force applied through the tape to the pins 31 due to the fact that the resistance presented by the spring 34 to such movement of the sensing pin is merely a resultant vectoral force derived from the spring, rather than a direct in-line pull therefrom. Likewise, once the sensing pin has been moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, the actual power to return the sensing pin, actuating arm 23, pin 15 and contacts of the switch, etc. is derived from the movement of the power driven bail 46.

Accurate adjustment of the switches 13 may be made by turning the associated screw 21 to rock the switch about the axis of the associated rod 17a or 17b, thereby raising or lowering the normal position of the pin of the associated switch with respect to its actuating arm 23.

It will also be noted that while I have illustrated two groups or banks of switches, two additional banks, for example, could readily be employed, positioning each additional bank above the respective actuating arm 23 and extending the latter beyond its pivot point, whereby engagement of the arm with the pin 15 of the associated switch would take place on the opposite side of the pivotal axis of the arm to that of engagement with the associated sensing member 29. In such case it would be desirable to use a suitable pivot rod or pin in place of the fulcrum member 24 as the pivotal forces with respect to each upper bank of switches would be in the opposite direction to that of the banks illustrated, and it will be particularly noted that in such a construction no change is necessary in the construction of the sensing mem ers, etc. This construction would enable the distance between adjacent sensing members to be shortened, and the width of the tape reduced or the utilization of additional switches with the same tape width.

it will be apparent from the above description that the invention provides a very simple yet highly efficient switching arrangement, particularly applicable to sequence timing operations and the like, which is so designed that standard type of snap action switches having relatively high current ratings may be employed, individual adjustment of each switch being provided to insure accurate operation to relatively close tolerances and wherein the device may be readily designed to be employed with any suitable type of storage media, as for example, metal, plastic, paper or other tapes, cards, etc.

Having thus described my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a control device, the combination of actuatable mechanism having a movable actuating element operatively associated therewith for controlling the latter, a movable member having a sensing element disposed for releasable engagement with movable preformed control media operative to selectively restrict or permit predetermined movement of said member relative thereto, means urging said member in a direction toward said media, means releasably engagable with said member for moving the same in a direction away from said control media, and means for movin said member to a position out of operative engagement with said releasable means in response to movement of the member upon operative release thereof by said control media.

2. In a switch controlling device, the combination of a switch mechanism having actuating means, a movable actuating element operatively related to said actuating means for controlling the latter, a movable member having a sensing element disposed for releasable engagement with movable preformed control media operative to selectively restrict or permit predetermined movement of said member relative thereto, means biasing said member in a direction toward said media, means releasably engagable with said member for moving the same in a direction away from said control media, and means for moving said member to a position out of operative engagement with said releasable means in response to movement of the member upon operative release thereof by said control media.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for moving said member out of operative engagement with said releasable means comprises a cam surface on said member engagable with stationary means operative upon movement of said member following release of the latter, to cam the member to a position wherein it is non-engagable with said releasable means.

4. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for moving said member away from said media comprises a continuously reciprocated element intermittently engagabie with said member.

5. In a switch controlling device, the combination of a plurality of switch mechanisms, each having actuating means, a respective movable actuating element operatively related to said actuating means for controlling the latter, a plurality of members each having a sensing element disposed for releasable engagement with movable preformed control media operative to selectively restrict or permit predetermined movement of said member relative thereto, means biasing the respective members .in a direction toward said media, means common to all of said members releasably engagable with each member for moving the same in a direction away from said control media, and means for moving each member to a position out of operative engagement with said releasable means in response to movement of such member upon operative release thereof by said control media.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for moving said members out of operative engagement with said releasable means comprises a cam surface on each member engageable with stationary means operative upon movement of said member following release of the latter, to .cam the member to a position wherein it is nonengageable with said releasable means.

7. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for moving said members away from said media comprises a continuously reciprocated member intermittently engageable with all of said members.

8. In a switch controlling device, the combination of a switch mechanism having an actuating element, an actuating bar engageable intermediate its ends with said actuating element, means adjacent one end of said bar forming a pivot about which the bar may move, spring means operatively connected with said bar for biasing the same for movement in a direction away from said actuating element, means for supporting said switch for movement operative to vary the relation of said actuating element with said actuating bar, means for adjustably controlling sueh movement of said switch, a sensing member movable in a direction transverse to the axis of said actuating bar, a sensing pin provided at one end of said member, the latter being provided adjacent the opposite end with a transversely extending abutment, and intermediate its ends with a transversely extending U-shaped portion in which is disposed the other end of said actuating bar, means for supporting a perforated control tape adjacent said sensing pin for movement in a direction transverse to the movement of said sensing member, and operative to normally restrict movement of said sensing member in a direction toward such tape, spring means operatively connected to said member, operative to bias the same in a direction toward such a tape, an element supported for pivotal movement about an axis extending parallel to the axis of said actuating bar, and engageable with the abutment of said sensing member for moving the latter in a direction away from such a tape, means for reciprocating said element, and means cooperable with said sensing member for moving the same out of the path of said element when the sensing pin of said member is in registration with a tape aperture.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for moving said sensing member out of operative engagement with said element comprises a cam surface on said member engageable with stationary means operative upon movement of said member following release of the latter, to cam the member to a position wherein it is non-engageable with said element.

10. In a switch controlling device, the combination of a plurality of switch mechanisms each having an actuating element, an actuating bar for each switch mechanism engageable intermediate its ends with the actuating element of the associated switch, means adjacent one end of each bar forming a common pivoted axis about which the respective bars may move, spring means operatively associated with said bars for biasing each bar for movement in a direction away from the associated actuating element, means for supporting each switch for pivotal movement about a fixed axis extending parallel to the axis of said bar, operative to vary the relation of said actuating element with said actuating bar, screw means for each switch for adjustably controlling the pivotal movement of the latter, a sensing member for each switch movable in a direction transverse to the axis of said actuating bars, a sensing pin provided at one end of each member, each of the latter being provided adjacent the opposite end with a transversely extending abut-ment, and intermediate its ends with a transversely extending U-shaped portion in which it disposed the other end of the associated actuating bar, means for supporting a perforated control tape adjacent said sensing pins for movement in a direction transverse to the movement of said sensing members, and operative to normally restrict movement of said sensing members in a direction toward such tape, spring means operatively connected to said members, operative to bias the same in a direction toward such tape, a U-shaped bail supported adjacent the ends of the leg portions thereof, for pivotal movement about an axis extending parallel to the axis of said actuating bars, and disposed with the intermediate cross portion thereof engageable with the abutments of the respective sensing members for moving the latter in a direction away from such tape, means for reciprocating said bail, and means cooperable with said sensing members for moving each member out of the path of said bail when the sensing pin of such member is in registration with a tape aperture.

111. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for moving said sensing member out of operative engagement with said releasable means comprises a cam surface on each member engageable with stationary means operative upon movement of such member following release of the latter to cam the member to a position wherein it is non-engageable with said releasable means.

12. In a switch controlling device, the combination of a switch mechanism having an actuating element, an actuating bar engageable intermediate its ends with said actuating element, means adjacent one end of said bar forming a pivot about which the bar may move, spring means operatively connected with said bar for biasing the same for movement in a direction away from said actuating element, a sensing member movable in a direction transverse to the axis of said actuating bar, a sensing pin provided at one end of said member, the latter being provided adjacent the opposite end with a transversely extending abutment, and intermediate its ends with a transversely extending U-shaped portion in which is disposed the other end of said actuating bar, means for supporting a perforated control tape adjacent said sensing pin for movement in a direction transverse to the movement of said sensing member, and operative to normally restrict movement of said sensing member in a direction toward such tape, spring means operatively connected to said member, operative to bias the same in a direction toward such tape, an element supported for pivotal movement about an axis extending parallel -to the axis of said actuating bar, and engageable with the abutment of said sensing member for moving the latter in a direction away from such tape, means for reciprocating said element, and means cooperable with said sensing member for moving the same out of the path of said element when the sensing pin of said member is in registration with a tape aperture.

13. In a switch controlling device, the combination of a switch mechanism having an actuating element, an actuating bar engageable intermediate its ends with said actuating element, means adjacent one end of said bar forming a pivot about which the bar may move, spring means operatively connected with said bar for biasing the same for movement in a direction away from said actuating element, a sensing member movable in a direction transverse to the axis of said actuating bar, a sensing pin provided at one end of said member, the latter being provided adjacent the opposite end with a transversely extending abutment, and intermediate its ends with a transversely extending U-shaped portion in which is disposed the other end of said actuating bar, means for supporting a perforated control tape adjacent said sensing pin for movement in a direction transverse to the movement of said sensing member, and operative to normally restrict movement of said sensing member in a direction toward such tape, spring means operatively connected to said member, operative to bias the same in a direction toward such tape, reciprocable means engageable with the abutment of said sensing member for moving the latter in a direction away from such tape, and means cooperable with said sensing member for moving the same out of the path of said reciprocable means when the sensing pin of such member is in registration with a tape aperture.

14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said means for moving said member out of operative engagement with said releasable means comprises cooperably carnming elements, one of which is associated with said member, stationary means operative upon movement of said member following release of the latter to dispose the member in a position wherein it is non-engageable with said releasable means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,659,767 Zenner Nov. 17, 1953 

1. IN A CONTROL DEVICE, THE COMBINATION OF ACTUATABLE MECHANISM HAVING A MOVABLE ACTUATING ELEMENT OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED THEREWITH FOR CONTROLLING THE LATTER, A MOVABLE MEMBER HAVING A SENSING ELEMENT DISPOSED FOR RELEASABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH MOVABLE PREFORMED CONTROL MEDIA OPERATIVE TO SELECTIVELY RESTRICT OR PERMIT PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER RELATIVE THERETO, MEANS URGING SAID MEMBER IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID MEDIA, MEANS RELEASABLY ENGAGABLE WITH SAID MEMBER FOR MOVING THE SAME IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID CONTROL MEDIA, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MEMBER TO A POSITION OUT OF OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RELEASABLE MEANS IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE MEMBER UPON OPERATIVE RELEASE THEREOF BY SAID CONTROL MEDIA. 